Tax Operations Manager – Eastern & Southern Africa (ESA) at Pawapay

Who is PawaPay PawaPay is a pan-African fintech enabling local payment channels used by the mass market to both local and international merchants. We operate in a highly regulated, partner-driven environment and are in scale-up mode, with ambitious growth plans across multiple African markets. Our vision is to simplify business for companies and consumers in Africa and we do that by ensuring that payments simply work, at scale, despite fragmentation and complexity that exists on the Continent. Through our payments API we already facilitate over 4 million transactions a day across 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are the largest PSP on the Continent for the processing of mobile money payments, and have positioned ourselves well to lead the payment space as it grows over the next decade. At PawaPay, there is an entrepreneurial spirit coupled with a modern and professional working culture. The fast-paced, ever-changing environment will suit someone who can adapt and think on their feet. In return, you will have the opportunity to work alongside a group of dedicated and smart individuals working towards the same mission. We work as a remote team and have team members in Europe, Africa and Asia. What is the role? We’re looking for a Tax Operations Manager – Eastern & Southern Africa (ESA) to own and drive tax compliance across multiple African jurisdictions. This is a hands-on regional role focused on ensuring PawaPay meets all statutory tax obligations accurately and on time, while supporting the business through an increasingly complex regulatory and operational environment. You’ll be responsible for managing end-to-end tax operations across the ESA region, including tax filings, reconciliations, audits, transfer pricing support, and engagement with revenue authorities across multiple countries. The role sits at the intersection of finance, legal, operations, and commercial teams, requiring someone who is highly organised, technically strong, and able to operate effectively across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously. This is a high-impact role with significant ownership and visibility. It will suit someone who enjoys complexity, thrives in fast-moving environments, and is motivated by building scalable and resilient tax processes across Africa. Your main duties will include: Tax Compliance & Reporting • Prepare and ensure timely filing of all direct and indirect tax returns across the ESA region • Own tax account reconciliations across multiple jurisdictions • Maintain a robust tax repository covering filings, payments, reconciliations, and supporting documentation • Produce periodic tax compliance reports and provide visibility on the overall compliance position across the region • Monitor legislative and regulatory tax changes and ensure the business remains compliant across all relevant markets Revenue Authority & Audit Management • Manage day-to-day engagement with revenue authorities across ESA jurisdictions • Handle routine tax authority queries and correspondence • Support and manage tax audits, investigations, and disputes as they arise • Coordinate with external advisors and internal stakeholders to resolve tax matters efficiently and proactively Transfer Pricing & Strategic Tax Support • Compute and manage intercompany and transfer pricing billings across the ESA region • Support implementation of transfer pricing policies and documentation requirements • Work closely with the Senior Tax Manager (Strategy) and Head of Tax on broader strategic tax initiatives • Support tax aspects of new market entry, operational structuring, and cross-border business activities • Contribute to initiatives focused on improving tax efficiency and optimising the Group’s operating model Cross-Functional Collaboration • Partner closely with finance, legal, sales, and operations teams on tax-related matters • Support commercial and operational teams in understanding tax implications of business activities • Coordinate with external tax advisors across multiple jurisdictions • Help strengthen tax governance, controls, and internal processes across the Group You are a perfect fit if you have: • 5–7 years of progressive tax experience, ideally combining Big 4 or mid-tier tax practice with in-house corporate tax exposure • Proven experience managing multi-country tax compliance across Africa • Strong knowledge of East African tax regimes, particularly Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda • Exposure to Southern African tax environments such as Zambia, Mozambique, Ethiopia, or Zimbabwe is highly desirable • Hands-on experience managing tax audits, disputes, and revenue authority engagement • A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Law, or a related field • A professional qualification such as CPA, ACCA, or equivalent • Additional tax qualifications such as ADIT or Higher Diploma in International Tax are advantageous • Strong technical understanding of direct and indirect taxes across ESA jurisdictions • Familiarity with IFRS and multinational operating environments • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail • The ability to explain complex tax matters clearly to non-tax stakeholders • Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously • A proactive and ownership-driven mindset with high professional integrity • Experience working with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Xero, or similar tools • Professional-level English communication skills Why PawaPay? • Help improve financial access in Africa • Being part of an amazing team that shapes company’s culture as a great place to be • An ambitious, talented, and diverse team who always has your back • We grow fast, and you will grow fast with us • Competitive remuneration • 35 days of paid leave per year (inclusive of public holidays) and more.